If anyone thinks they are a prophet
or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing
to you is the Lord’s command. But
if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored. Therefore, my brothers
and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a
fitting and orderly way.
I Corinthians 14:37-40
One of the gifts given to the
church by the Holy Spirit is discernment. This gift is especially helpful to
identify the things of God in contrast to the things of the devil. Discernment
aids us in different ways, one of which Paul discusses in these verses -
determining whether our leaders are guiding us in the right ways of God or are
leading us astray and away from the will of God.
The Apostle John also warns us of
the importance of discernment in connection to spiritual leaders.
Dear friends, do not believe every
spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many
false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can
recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ
has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge
Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have
heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are
from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than
the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from
the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and
whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to
us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
I John 4:1-6
John gives us tests to determine
if someone is a good leader. The first test is this: do they teach the dual
nature of Christ as both human and divine? If a leader's teaching in any way
sows doubt about the character of Jesus Christ, then the source of the guidance
is questionable.
The next test John gives us asks,
“Do godly Christians respond to their teaching?” A believer who has a personal
relationship with God will feel a resonance in their spirit when they hear
true, biblical teaching. Consequently, they will sense a catch in their spirit
when they hear false doctrine.
John then gives us a third test
of a good spiritual leader: how does the world respond to them? If a spiritual
leader is widely popular in secular settings, it doesn't necessarily mean they
are a false prophet. One must weigh their teaching against Scripture and pray
for the Holy Spirit to bring any falsehood to light.
John's encouragement is to trust
that “He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world.” Jesus himself
said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me"
(John 10:27). Take time to tune your ear to the voice of the Good Shepherd and
trust in leaders that sound like Him.
Well, said , sis!
ReplyDeleteI have found that this is easiest if one reads and studies the Word of God regularly. That may sound odd, but you would be surprised of how many Christians do not do so. Then they are so easily lead a stray. I believe that is why the bible says, My people perish for lack of knowlege.
Great point, Toni! The Lord will bring Scripture passages to our mind contradicting what is said when false teaching is spoken.
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